Hair styling apparatus and method of using same

ABSTRACT

A hair styling apparatus and method of use is provided. The apparatus comprises a shaft having a first end and a second end, the shaft having an opening disposed along the length of the shaft and between the first end and the second end, and an elastic ring, the ring being threaded through the shaft and moveable along the shaft opening.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority from Provisional Application Ser. No.60/650,672 filed on Feb. 7, 2005, which is incorporated in its entiretyby reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to hair styling devices and methods. Moreparticularly the present invention relates to a hair styling device andmethod for producing a hairdo such as a stylized bun or chignon.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Hair styling devices for tying back medium to long hair in an attractiveyet practical manner exist in the art. Buns and chignons have been usedfor years to retain hair in a neat and attractive style. Means known forforming such hairdos include the use of hair ties, bobby pins, clawclips and straight pins. However, these conventional hair stylingdevices can be cumbersome to manipulate, especially when the user isattempting to style her own hair. A number of these hair pins must beevenly clipped along the length of hair to be rolled into the hairdo. Itis often difficult to render a neat and even style without experience orassistance, especially when the user is pressed for time. Additionally,these devices require facility and deftness of a user. Moreover,conventional hair styling devices fail to provide a method for providinga consistent and simple means for creating an updo.

Furthermore, conventional hair styling devices for producing a bun,chignon or other updo are typically plain in appearance. In fact, somedevices known in the art are not visible at all once the updo iscomplete.

Therefore, a need exists for a hair styling device that enables a userto simply and easily form a stylized updo. Moreover, a need exists forsuch a hair styling device having adornment that provides an attractiveaspect to a conventional updo.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a hair stylingapparatus that enables a user to quickly and easily form an attractiveupdo.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a hair stylingapparatus that enables a user to form several different updo stylesincluding a simple pony tail, a basic knot, a stick knot, a twistedponytail , a bauble knot, a Chinese knot, a braided knot and an invertedknot.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a hair stylingapparatus that provides decoration to the finished updo.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a method ofquickly, simply and consistently forming and securing an updo.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention areachieved by a hair styling apparatus comprising a shaft having a firstend and a second end, the shaft having an opening disposed along thelength of the shaft and between the first end and the second end, and anelastic ring, the ring being threaded through the shaft and moveablealong the shaft opening. The hair styling apparatus may have anadornment disposed on the shaft or the elastic ring. These objects arefurther achieved by a method of styling hair into an updo using a hairstyling apparatus having a shaft and an elastic ring attached thereto,the method comprising the steps of forming a ponytail having hair ends;tightening the elastic ring of the hair styling apparatus above theponytail hair ends; twisting the ponytail in a spiral to form a knot;tucking the ponytail hair ends under the knot; pulling the hair stylingapparatus free of the hair so that it can be inserted into the knot; andinserting the hair styling apparatus into the knot and the underlyinghair to anchor the knot.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and still other objects and advantages of the presentinvention will be more apparent from the following detailed explanationof the preferred embodiments of the invention in connection with theaccompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 a is a front view of a first embodiment of the hair stylingapparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 1 b is a front view of a second embodiment of the hair stylingapparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of a third embodiment of the hair stylingapparatus according to the present invention;

FIGS. 3 through 7 illustrate the steps for styling hair into a basicknot according to the present invention;

FIGS. 8 through 13 illustrate the steps for styling hair into a stickknot according to the present invention;

FIGS. 14 through 19 illustrate the steps for styling hair into a twistedponytail according to the present invention;

FIGS. 20 through 23 illustrate the steps for styling hair into a baubleknot according to the present invention;

FIG. 24 illustrates a Chinese knot formed according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 25 illustrates a braided knot formed according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 26 illustrates an inverted knot formed according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 27 illustrates a fourth embodiment of the hair styling apparatusaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 28 illustrates a tightly secured pony tail formed according to thepresent invention; and

FIG. 29 illustrates an alternative style of a tightly secured pony tailformed according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings and, in particular, FIG. 1 a, there isillustrated a hair styling apparatus according to the present inventiongenerally represented by reference numeral 2. Hair styling apparatus 2has a shaft 2 a having a first end 2 b and a second end 2 c. Shaft 2 afurther has an opening or slit 4 formed therein. Slit 4 is formed alonga substantial portion of the length of shaft 2 a. Hair styling apparatus2 further has an elastic ring 6. Elastic ring 6 is threaded throughshaft 2 a and moveable along shaft opening 4.

Slit 4 extends into an end of hair styling apparatus 2 that isinsertable into the hair of the user. Elastic ring 6 is slidable alongslit 4 and close to an end 2 a or 2 b to enable a user to maneuver hairstyling apparatus 2 during use.

Shaft 2 a may be pointed at one or both ends. Shaft 2 a may be of variedlength. One embodiment of the present invention has a shaft 2 a that isabout six inches long and a slit 4 that is about five inches long.

Referring to FIG. 1 b, an alternate embodiment of the present invention,hair styling apparatus 3 is shown. Hair styling apparatus 3 has adecorative aspect on one of a first end 3 b or a second end 3 c. In thisembodiment, elastic ring 6 is slidable along slit 4 only up to the pointthat marks the decorative end of hair styling apparatus 3. In stillanother embodiment of the present invention, both first end 3 a andsecond end 3 b have decorative aspects. The decorative aspect mayinclude any means for adornment known in the art including, withoutlimitation, carving, beading, feathering or wire wrapping. It isconceivable that combinations of these means may be employed.

Elastic band 6 may have a means for adornment 8. Adornment 8 mayinclude, without limitation, one or more jewels, baubles or cordstoppers.

FIG. 2 illustrates yet another embodiment according to the presentinvention, a hair styling apparatus 9. Hair styling apparatus 9 has anarcuate shaft. In this embodiment, one of side 9 b and 9 c is wide, theopposite side being narrow.

FIGS. 3 through 7 illustrate the steps for styling hair into a basicknot using hair styling apparatus 2 according to the present invention.It should be noted that hair styling apparatus 3 and 9 may also be used.FIG. 3 shows the back of a wearer's head wearing a ponytail 10. FIG. 4shows elastic band 6 tightened around ponytail 10 slightly above thehair ends. The arrows illustrate the direction in which ponytail 10 iswrapped or twisted in a spiral to form a knot or bun 12. FIG. 5illustrates the ends of ponytail 10 being tucked under bun 12. Hairstyling apparatus 2 is then gently pulled free of the wearer's hair sothat it can be inserted into knot 12 in the following step. FIG. 6 showshow hair styling apparatus 2 may be inserted into bun 12 and theunderlying hair to anchor bun 12 and trap hair ends under bun 12. Hairstyling apparatus 2 can be easily manipulated because elastic band 6 isslidable within slit 4, thus allowing easy positioning of hair stylingapparatus 2. FIG. 7 shows completed bun 12. Hair styling apparatus 2helps anchor bun 12 by preventing the hair ends from unraveling. Hairstyling apparatus 2 also provides a sleek and chic look to bun 12.

It should be noted that hair styling tool 2, 3, and 9 may also be usedto make ponytail 10. As illustrated in FIG. 3, elastic ring 6 is used toform ponytail 10. Hair styling tool 2, 3 or 9 is then positioned at thetop or base of ponytail 10. After ponytail 10 is twisted and wrapped,hair styling tool 2, 3 or 9 is then used to anchor bun 12, ensuring thathair styling tool 2, 3 or 9 pierces both bun 12 and some hair from thescalp of the user. A bauble 8, if included on the elastic end of hairstyling tool 2, 3 or 9 would then appear at the center of bun 12,thereby adding a touch of elegance to the hairdo.

FIGS. 8 through 13 illustrate a method of using hair styling tool 2 tomake a stick knot 16. Again, it should be noted that hair styling tools3 and 9 may also be employed to make stick knot 16. FIG. 8 illustrates aponytail 14 formed by loosely placing elastic band 6 around a bundle ofhair. Ponytail 14 is then twisted until it is slightly taught. FIG. 9illustrates hair styling tool 2 being positioned in front of twistedponytail 14. That is, hair styling tool 2 is positioned horizontallybetween ponytail 14 and the front of the head of the wearer. FIG. 10illustrates twisted ponytail 14 being looped over hair styling tool 2.Hair styling tool 2 is then rotated about a half-circle to the otherside in a vertical plane. Hair styling tool 2 is then rotated inwards,as shown in FIG. 11. The ends of ponytail 14 are trapped under thetwisted portion of ponytail 14. Hair styling tool 2 is then insertedfirmly such that it pierces both twisted ponytail 14 as well as the hairunder the ponytail, as illustrated in FIG. 12. FIG. 13 shows completedstick knot 16. Thus, hair styling apparatus 2 allows creation of stickknot 16 in a simple and fluid manner, providing a secure and stableknot.

FIGS. 14 to 19 illustrate a method of using hair styling apparatus 2 tomake a twisted ponytail 18. Again, hair styling apparatus 3 and 9 mayalso be employed. As illustrated in FIG. 14, hair is first bundled inone hand to make a ponytail 14. As shown in FIG. 15, the hair is twistedclose to the head, the gentle twisting creating twisted ponytail 18.Elastic ring 6 is then tightened at the base of ponytail 14, asillustrated in FIG. 16. Hair styling apparatus is then insertedhorizontally into the forming twisted ponytail 18 as illustrated in FIG.17. Hair styling apparatus is then rotated in a horizontal plane byabout a half circle and then woven into a twist while also picking uphair from under the twist as shown in FIG. 18. The completed twistedponytail is shown in FIG. 19.

FIGS. 20 to 23 illustrate how hair styling tools 2, 3 and 9 can be usedto create a bauble knot. FIG. 20 illustrates a ponytail 14 formed withelastic ring 6. Ponytail 14 is then twisted until taught, as illustratedin FIG. 21. Twisted ponytail 14 is wrapped around bauble 8, asillustrated in FIG. 22. The ends of twisted ponytail 14 are tucked underknot 20, as illustrated in FIG. 23. Hair styling tools 2, 3 or 9 is thenwoven through the hair so that it picks up hair both from knot 20 aswell as hair from under knot 20, thereby securing knot 20.

FIG. 24 illustrates a Chinese knot 22, formed with hair styling tools 2,3 or 9. Chinese knot 22 is made by first forming a ponytail with elasticring 6. The ponytail is then wrapped around hair styling tools 2, 3 or 9in a figure-eight fashion followed by wrapping the ponytail in a circleand securing the hair ends.

FIG. 25 illustrates a braided bun 24, formed with hair styling tools 2,3 or 9. Braided bun 24 is made by first braiding the hair. The hair isthen formed into a knot in the manner shown in FIGS. 3 to 7.

FIG. 26 illustrates an inverted knot 26, formed with hair styling tools2, 3 or 9. To form inverted knot 26, the user first forms a looseponytail. She then twists the ponytail and makes a knot in the mannerdescribed above. Finally, she turns the knot inwards, tucking it under,thereby creating inverted knot 26, that is secured by weaving hairstyling tools 2, 3 or 9 through inverted knot 26.

FIG. 27 illustrates yet another embodiment of the hair styling tool ofthe present invention. Hair styling tool 30 employs an elastic cord 38for securing hair. Cord 38 is attached to slit 32 by a loop 36 formed onan end of cord 38. A variable loop 34 is formed at the opposite end ofcord 38.

FIGS. 28 to 29 illustrate use of hair styling tool 30 for making a tightponytail. Loop 36 is slidable along slit 32. Loop 34 is employed to makeponytail 14. Hair styling tool 30 is then pulled so that loop 34tightens on ponytail 14, thus gripping ponytail 14 tightly. Cord 38 maythen be looped several times around ponytail 14. Finally, hair stylingtool 30 is woven into the hair at the base of ponytail 14, therebysecuring ponytail 14. Unlike conventional ponytail circles that can onlybe looped a discrete number of times, a length of cord such as cord 38can be made as tight as necessary to secure ponytail 14, thus allowingfor a tighter ponytail. A small bead or knot 40 may be placed on cord 38to prevent loop 34 from slipping off cord 38 when the tool is not inuse. Such a bead or knot or other stopper attached to cord a38 will makeit easier for a user to pull open loop 34 for placement around aponytail.

The present invention has been described with particular reference tothe preferred embodiments. It should be understood that the foregoingdescriptions and examples are only illustrative of the presentinvention. Various alternatives and modifications thereof can be devisedby those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scopeof the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is intendedto embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations thatfall within the scope of the appended claims.

1. A hair styling apparatus comprising: a shaft having a first end and asecond end, said shaft having an opening disposed along the length ofsaid shaft and between said first end and said second end, and anelastic ring, said ring being threaded through said shaft and moveablealong said shaft opening, wherein at least one of said shaft ends formsa point.
 2. The hair styling apparatus of claim 1 further comprising adecoration disposed on at least one shaft end.
 3. The hair stylingapparatus of claim 2, wherein said decoration is selected from the groupconsisting of carving, beading, feathering and wire wrapping.
 4. Thehair styling apparatus of claim 1, wherein said elastic has a decorationdisposed thereon.
 5. The hair styling apparatus of claim 4, wherein saiddecoration is a jewel.
 6. The hair styling apparatus of claim 4, whereinsaid decoration is an adorned button.
 7. The hair styling apparatus ofclaim 4, wherein said decoration is a cord stopper.
 8. The hair stylingapparatus of claim 1, wherein said shaft is arcuate.
 9. The hair stylingapparatus of claim 1, wherein said slit extends into an end of said hairstyling apparatus that is insertable into the hair of the user.
 10. Ahair styling apparatus comprising: a shaft having a first end and asecond end, said shaft having an opening disposed along the length ofsaid shaft and between said first end and said second end, and anelastic having a first end and a second end, said elastic first endbeing attached to said shaft such that said elastic is movable alongsaid shaft opening, said elastic second end having a loop formed thereinsuch that said loop is sizable to accommodate varying diameters ofgathered hair, wherein at least one of said shaft ends forms a point.11. The hair styling apparatus of claim 18 further comprising adecoration disposed on at least one shaft end.
 12. The hair stylingapparatus of claim 11, wherein said decoration is selected from thegroup consisting of carving, beading, feathering and wire wrapping. 13.The hair styling apparatus of claim 10, wherein said elastic has adecoration disposed thereon.
 14. The hair styling apparatus of claim 11,wherein said decoration is a jewel.
 15. The hair styling apparatus ofclaim 11, wherein said decoration is an adorned button.
 16. The hairstyling apparatus of claim 11, wherein said decoration is a cordstopper.
 17. The hair styling apparatus of claim 10, wherein said shaftis arcuate.
 18. A method of styling hair into an updo using a hairstyling apparatus having a shaft and an elastic ring attached theretocomprising the steps of: forming a ponytail having hair ends; tighteningthe elastic ring of said hair styling apparatus above the ponytail hairends; twisting said ponytail in a spiral to form a knot; tucking theponytail hair ends under said knot; pulling said hair styling apparatusfree of the hair so that it can be inserted into said knot; andinserting said hair styling apparatus into said knot and the underlyinghair to anchor said knot.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein saidmethod is employed to form an updo styles selected from the groupconsisting of a simple pony tail, a basic knot, a stick knot, a twistedponytail, a bauble knot, a Chinese knot, a braided knot and an invertedknot.
 20. The method of claim 18, further comprising a step of adjustingsaid hair styling apparatus so that a decoration disposed thereon isvisible.